To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance his Department publishes on assisting young and vulnerable victims and witnesses to give evidence in court.
Answered on
24 March 2015
Providing support for young victims and witnesses to help them give their best possible evidence and bring offenders to justice is something the Government takes seriously.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has published the Witness Charter which sets out the standard of care all witnesses can expect from the criminal justice system. The Charter complements the revised Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, which came into force in December 2013. This contains a special section for children and tells them what help and services they should receive from the criminal justice system. The MoJ has also produced guidance packs for young and vulnerable witnesses to help them personally with the experience of coming to court.
In addition to these guides, there is a range of ‘special measures’ under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 to help support young, vulnerable and intimidated witnesses give their best evidence and reduce the anxiety of attending court.